Elliott's 3rd straight shutout sends Blues to playoffs
Get your dancing shoes, Blues fans.
St. Louis is off to the playoffs for a fifth straight season, and for the 40th time in franchise history, clinching a berth in the best tournament in sports Friday night with a 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Brian Elliott wasn't busy in net for the Blues, making only 15 saves and two in the third period, but a shutout's a shutout, and it's his third straight since returning from injury. It's the third time in his career he's posted shutouts in three straight games. He hasn't allowed a goal in 180:34, and is clearly in postseason form.
Elliott improved his league-leading numbers to 1.95 GAA and .934 save-percentage.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 26, 2016
It's Ken Hitchcock's fourth straight playoff appearance as St. Louis' head coach, but this year's Stanley Cup playoffs take on extra significance for the 64-year-old. The Blues have been knocked out in the first round the past two seasons, and should that happen again, Hitchcock will likely be looking for work in the summer.
While the Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, and Los Angeles Kings get much of the press in the Western Conference, the Blues have quietly had a superb season. Friday night's win gives them 97 points, which equals the No. 1 Stars' total. And they've had to overcome significant injuries to core players Alex Steen, Paul Stastny, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo, and Elliott.
Hitchcock: “I’m proud of the players, but I’m proud of the coaches. We managed a very difficult time with a lot of players missing.”
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 26, 2016
Most importantly, St. Louis is peaking at the right time. The Blues are 8-2 in March, and will face the Washington Capitals in D.C. on Saturday. That's a measuring-stick game if there ever was one. Jake Allen will start in goal. Let's face it: Elliott's earned some rest.